How does a neurologist diagnose narcolepsy?

They’ll take some fluid from your spine to find out if you have enough of a brain chemical called hypocretin. It helps you sleep and wake up at the right times. Your doctor also might run a blood test or brain scan to make sure that you really have narcolepsy and not a different condition.

How can you tell if someone has narcolepsy?

They include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime.
• Sudden loss of muscle tone.
• Sleep paralysis.
• Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
• Hallucinations.

Can a psychiatrist diagnose narcolepsy?

Because of the functional impairments characteristic of narcolepsy, including problems at work, at school, and in relationships, and reduced QOL, patients with narcolepsy without comorbid psychiatric disease may be nonetheless referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation.

Does a neurologist treat narcolepsy?

Neurologist Since narcolepsy is a neurological condition, a neurologist — a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and the nervous system — may be part of your healthcare team.

Can an EEG detect narcolepsy?

The test can also be used to diagnose other disorders that influence brain activity, such as Alzheimer’s disease, certain psychoses, and a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Is narcolepsy a neurological disorder?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. At various times throughout the day, people with narcolepsy experience fleeting urges to sleep.

Is narcolepsy a mental illness?

However, narcolepsy is frequently misdiagnosed initially as a psychiatric condition, contributing to the protracted time to accurate diagnosis and treatment. Narcolepsy is a disabling neurodegenerative condition that carries a high risk for development of social and occupational dysfunction.

Is narcolepsy a neurological condition?

Can you have narcolepsy without cataplexy?

Type 2 narcolepsy (previously termed narcolepsy without cataplexy). People with this condition experience excessive daytime sleepiness but usually do not have muscle weakness triggered by emotions. They usually also have less severe symptoms and have normal levels of the brain hormone hypocretin.

Can an MRI detect narcolepsy?

Imaging studies such as MRI are useful for excluding rare causes of symptomatic narcolepsy. Structural abnormalities of the brain stem and diencephalon may present as idiopathic narcolepsy. In patients with secondary narcolepsy, MRI of the brain may show various abnormalities that correspond to the underlying cause.

What mimics narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that can have similar symptoms, including: Depression. Anxiety. Other psychologic/psychiatric disorders.

What tests are done to diagnose narcolepsy?

A physical exam can rule out or identify other neurological conditions that may be causing the symptoms. Two specialized tests, which can be performed in a sleep disorders clinic, are required to establish a diagnosis of narcolepsy: Polysomnogram (PSG or sleep study).

What causes narcolepsy without cataplexy?

Narcolepsy may have several causes. Nearly all people with narcolepsy who have cataplexy have extremely low levels of the naturally occurring chemical hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness and regulates REM sleep. Hypocretin levels are usually normal in people who have narcolepsy without cataplexy.

Is sleepiness a symptom of narcolepsy?

All individuals with narcolepsy have EDS, and it is often the most obvious symptom. EDS is characterized by persistent sleepiness, regardless of how much sleep an individual gets at night. However, sleepiness in narcolepsy is more like a “sleep attack”, where an overwhelming sense of sleepiness comes on quickly.

Does narcolepsy get worse with age?

Narcolepsy is a lifelong problem, but it does not usually worsen as the person ages. Symptoms can partially improve over time, but they will never disappear completely. The most typical symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.

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